In exploring the ecofeminist perspective, it’s crucial to understand how it connects to the broader concept of intersectionality. The ecofeminist “web” perspective posits that various forms of oppression—whether it be against women, nature, or marginalized communities—are deeply interconnected. It rejects the idea of treating these struggles separately and instead recognizes that they are woven together, just like the strands of a web. This interconnectedness means that the oppression of women, particularly those from marginalized groups (such as the poor, people of color, and queer individuals), must be viewed in relation to the exploitation of nature.
Dorothy Allison’s writing provides a powerful lens for understanding this idea. In her reflection on her identity as a queer woman from a poor background, she shows how society has constructed categories of “us” and “them.” She mentions the pervasive sense of being part of “they,” a category of people who are marginalized, erased, and “disposed of.” This sense of “they” echoes the ecofeminist notion of how various forms of exploitation—whether of marginalized humans or nature—are inherently tied together. Allison’s experience growing up in a poor, working-class family underscores how systemic forces of power and oppression operate across both class and gender lines, exemplifying how intersectionality informs ecofeminist thought.
In the context of ecofeminism, intersectionality enhances our understanding of environmental issues by acknowledging that environmental degradation disproportionately affects those already marginalized. Ecofeminism sees the exploitation of women, the poor, and nature as parts of the same system that privileges dominance, control, and hierarchy. As Allison writes about growing up poor in a family struggling with societal contempt and judgment, she highlights how poverty was viewed as a voluntary condition—something that ties directly into the ecofeminist critique of how poor communities are often seen as disposable, much like the environment itself.
The ecofeminist approach, therefore, emphasizes the need for solidarity across struggles. It urges us to recognize how the domination of nature mirrors the subjugation of certain social groups. This is where intersectionality plays a key role—by recognizing that one’s identity cannot be reduced to a single axis of oppression. Allison’s narrative, full of vulnerability and resistance, mirrors the ecofeminist call for a holistic approach to social justice and environmental activism. Her personal story of survival and resistance reveals how interconnected identity, power, and ecological concerns truly are.
By embracing an ecofeminist perspective that incorporates intersectionality, we deepen our understanding of how oppression works and how liberation can be achieved. Just as Allison struggled to carve out her own space while grappling with multiple axes of identity—poverty, queerness, and gender—an ecofeminist approach calls for a world where the exploitation of both people and the environment is undone. It demands a world where the interwoven struggles for justice are recognized and addressed together, creating a more inclusive and sustainable future.
work cited Allison, D. (n.d.). A question of class. History Is a Weapon. Retrieved March 27, 2025, from https://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/skinall.html